It feels like not a day goes by without a new buzzy skin care ingredient popping up, sending beauty-lovers into overdrive. And while those of us devoted to skin care products have been familiar with the active ingredient retinol (the most popular form of vitamin A) for a while, I’m starting to see more and more products made with retinal, and have been curious to learn what, if any, differences there are between these two ingredients.
It turns out retinal is stronger and works faster than retinol to turn over skin cells, according to Dr. Deanne Mraz, a board-certified dermatologist at Modern Dermatology in Connecticut and an assistant clinical professor of dermatology at Yale School of Medicine. This is because after it’s applied, all retinol is first converted to retinal and then into retinoic acid before it works its magic on the skin. Since they are essentially skipping the first “step,” retinals have a faster, more direct route to getting to work.
Even though they “essentially work the same and have the same benefits to the skin, the key difference is the speed at which they work and how quickly you can expect to see results,” Mraz said. But this doesn’t mean that one is necessarily better or more effective than the other. She noted that while you may see results quicker with retinal, you may be better off with retinol if retinal is causing irritation and excessive dryness. Not all faces can tolerate daily use, and you may want to start with a gentler form of this popular ingredient that you can use more often.
“When it comes to skincare,” Mraz said, “consistency is key for efficacy, and it’s a matter of finding what works best for your skin — which can change seasonally and based on hormonal fluctuations.”
Mraz believes that all skin types can benefit from increased skin cell turnover, but it’s important to find the right strength product and accompanying skin care. “In general, oily skin types can tolerate stronger retinals… while dry, more sensitive skin types will do better with retinols or other chemical exfoliants like AHAs or plant-based bakuchiol,” she told me. As always, be sure to check with your doctor if you are using prescription medications to manage any skin conditions, or if you’re in an active rosacea or psoriasis flareup, before using products with retinol or retinal.
Below, we’ve curated a selection of both retinol and retinal products based on Mraz’s recommendations, editors’ picks and highly-rated products that consumers love. Each can help you achieve your skin care goals, all you have to do is pick the one that best fits your personal needs.
HuffPost and its publishing partners may receive a share from purchases made via links on this page. Every item is independently selected by the HuffPost Shopping team. Prices and availability are subject to change. The experts consulted for this story do not necessarily endorse the products ahead unless otherwise noted.
Retinal
I’ve long heard people rave about this highly-rated serum from Medik8, and I can’t say I’m surprised. Everything I’ve tried from the brand thus far has been effective and left my skin looking and feeling great. This serum can help to address typical signs of aging like wrinkles, texture and tone quickly and efficiently. It’s balanced with hyaluronic acid and glycerin to help keep skin supple, soft, smooth and hydrated. It’s a great mid-price jumping-off point for anyone curious about trying a retinal.
I’m a big fan of Avène products; this French pharmacy staple always knows how to strike the perfect balance between using tried and true potent ingredients and nourishing goodness to help keep skin looking and feeling youthful, soft and plump. This cream is no exception and can help to leave your complexion looking and feeling smooth, radiant, hydrated and fresh.
This highly-rated and oft-reviewed serum utilizes retinal, niacinamide and ceramides to not only improve the look and feel of skin texture and common signs of aging but also reinforce the skin’s barrier, smooth skin, even tone and moisturize. It’s a powerhouse combo in the form of a lightweight serum that won’t feel heavy.
Retinol
According to Mraz, you can’t go wrong with Skinceuticals Retinol, which comes in three strengths (.3%, .5% and 1% concentrations). “This is a great option for anyone who needs to downshift to a gentler strength in the cold, dry winter months and turn up the volume [spring through fall],” she recommended. It’s a great way for first-time users of retinol to enjoy the benefits while still protecting the skin from potentially irritating side effects.
This popular Sunday Riley retinoid serum is beloved by HuffPost shopping writer Tessa Flores. She shared that it’s “composed of a retinoid ester, encapsulated retinol and retinol-alternative extracts derived from blue-green algae, all of which can impart the texture-improving wonders that retinol is known for without overwhelming the skin and causing irritation.”
She went on to explain that the formulation includes COQ10, an antioxidant that “targets the appearance of sun damage while two different humectants soothe redness and draw moisture into the skin. After using this product consistently for two months, I’m noticing a significant reduction of my keratosis pilaris in that the texture is smoother, less red and with fewer clogged hair follicles. I’ve also noticed less congestion in my T-zone, fewer sun freckles, and an overall increase in skin plumpness — all without those telltale signs of retinol-induced irritation.”
